JACK Shepherd believes Barnsley’s defence is gradually improving and he is enjoying playing regular football for the club for the first time.

The 24-year-old centre-back has started every game in all competitions this season – other than the home win over Burton for which he was suspended after an opening day red card at Plymouth. Shepherd signed from Pontefract Collieries in 2023 and played 13 games before being loaned out to Cheltenham Town and Bradford City then returning for this season.

He has often played on the right of the back two, despite being left-footed, due to the absence of Marc Roberts with injury.

There were questions over the defence early in the season.

Shepherd told the Chronicle: “We’re building partnerships across the back four. We’re doing a lot of work with Keesy (coach Richard Keogh) and the gaffer on it. We’ll just keep working and building. You can only try to get better each game. It’s showing on the pitch.

“I am really enjoying my time here so far. We just have to keep the run and momentum going.

“It’s a good environment in the changing room and hopefully we can keep that going.”

Barnsley won just six home games in the league last season but are unbeaten at Oakwell in five games in all competitions so far this campaign.

Shepherd said: “Half the season is played at home so it has to be a fortress.

“I think the gaffer is trying to get that from the team and make it a horrible place to come for other teams. We want to win as many as we can at home.”

Barnsley bounced back from their only loss of the season at AFC Wimbledon with a cup victory over Rotherham then another win in an all-Yorkshire clash on Saturday against Huddersfield.

The Terriers went down to ten men in the first half and Barnsley were 3-0 up before a late mistake by Nathanael Ogbeta gave the visitors a consolation goal. Shepherd said: “We’re over the moon. We had to take it as another game, not think too much about it being a derby. But we played well and it’s good to get three points.

“They were going to put pressure on us after going down to ten men.

“We defended well but we’re gutted not to keep a clean sheet.

“After the Wimbledon game the gaffer said no good team loses two in a row.

“We won the Rotherham game then kept the momentum going which is massive. It’s still early doors but we can only play what’s in front of us.

“We’ll enjoy these wins but then move onto the next game.”

Shepherd is now glad to have a two-week break before a home game with Reading.

“You want to get the games ticked off but sometimes you need the rest to recuperate.

“When you come back, your mind and body is fresh and you are ready to go again. It will be nice few days’ break for the lads then we can go again.”